Compression Ratio of Spheres in a Curved Tube
Compression Ratio of Spheres in a Curved Tube
This Demonstration determines the optimal packing for spheres in a curved tube. Spheres of radius are packed in a tube of radius , where , with a bend of radius . We seek the minimum value of the compression ratio. For small ratios , the spheres are in contact with the outside wall. For larger , optimal compression is attained by arranging the spheres in a zigzag pattern parallel to the axis of curvature along the tube centerline.
s
t
t≥s
°
180
b
t/s
t/s